My Ideal Man

My Ideal Man
By: Mariecell M. Fornis

I am a girl with full of dreams and crushes
I do believe in fairytales and destiny
In my high school days I always dreamed of my ideal man
Hoping and praying that he will come true

Well, let me tell you about him
It’s not all about the money
It’s not about the physical aspect
But it’s all about the heart

I don’t mean luvy duvy kinda heart
I mean the kind of heart that makes him stand up and fight when he believe in something
A man who knows how to treat a woman, opens door and all that
But also knows how to put me in my place

A guy who doesn’t make a ton of money
But he is ambitious and well on his way
He is funny, generous and so giving of himself
and the way he will carries himself with such confidence

A guy who don’t blow my phone up all the time
Don’t get jealous when I talk to other guys
Just be easy and let things unfold
And a guy who makes me smile and makes me feel safe and secure

As time passed by I never found my ideal man
Though I experienced a committed relationships before, I never found him in them
Then I come to realized that my ideal man doesn’t really exist in this world
That he is only on my imaginations and fantasies

One day as I woke up one morning I realized I’ve found my ideal man
I know that it’s him!
That he doesn’t only exist on fairytale stories
He comes in my life in a mysterious ways

But I know and accept the reality that he can’t be mine forever
Coz he has a girl in his life right now
Whom he loved so much

Though things are complicated I’m contented and happy of what we have today
The friendship and the great memories that we had is already a treasure to be kept forever
I thank God for letting me know him and become part of his life
I just have to let things happen on it’s own

All I have to do now is keep on sailing
Though I’ve already found my ideal man, I’m not sure that he can be my destiny
Only God knows who would be my forever Punchinello
Whom I will share and spend my lifetine with


I have to move on with my life
Coz life is a wonderful journey that we have to travel
Life is a gift and a blessing from God that we have to share with others

And praise God that He gives me the chance to share a part of my life with my ideal man.

My Inspirational Life Story

My inspirational life story

My inspirational life story
By: Mariecell M. Fornis, 26, Davao City
mariecell_0812@yahoo.com.ph

God will never give us a trial more than what we could handle. Everything that happens in our lives is God’s plan. And one of His plans for me is to be in my situation right now.

It was on the night of February 16, 2002 when my family met a vehicular accident. We were on our way home after picking up my younger sister from her JS Prom when my father tried to avoid a road construction that has no warning device and lost control. That was the cause of my loss of sight. My eyes now are both artificial.

By that time, I was a graduating student in college under the degree course of Bachelor in Computer Technology and it was about 40 days before graduation. The university has decided to give my diploma because I already have completed my thesis and met all my requirements before the accident happened.

My father and I were brought to the hospital. He had a fractured leg and went through a major operation. He used crutches for almost six months. I, on the other hand, stayed on my hospital bed for almost four months. There were bandages all over my body and I had many stitches on my head. I was with dextrose and they put a tube on my neck to help me breathe. I also had a Nasogastric Tube (NGT) inserted in my nose to feed me. For four months I didn’t take any solid foods. I couldn’t speak because they’ve put braces on my teeth to support it. I could only communicate with people through writing or by sign language. The doctors said that they couldn’t save my eyes because it may cause infection that would eventually cost my life. It would be better to lose my sight than to lose my life. The doctors have given me 60-40 chances for survival so I’m grateful to God that I’m alive right now. He gave me a second chance to live. He never left us and even sent instruments to help my family go through this tragedy.

While still in the hospital my friends, professors, relatives, neighbors and the rest of my family were there to give me enormous support. They never left me. They all made me feel so special and that gave me an assurance that I wasn’t alone. Also, I’ve met new friends and until now they are here for me. I thank God because I came to know them through my situation. They all helped me on my financial, emotional, physical and spiritual struggles.

My eagerness in life has motivated me to move on. Soon as my fractured legs were healed and I was discharged in the hospital, I went to the Davao School and Rehabilitation for Visually Impaired. There, I studied Braille while having 7 reconstructive surgeries on my jaws. When I already learned on how to write and read Braille, they endorsed me to the Rotary Foundation Computer Skills Training Center to pursue my studies in computer. It enabled me to apply all my knowledge and skills on computers, as being a graduate of Bachelor in Computer Technology at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City.

The Rotary then introduced me to the UCCP Social Concern Foundation for my Mobility Orientation. Right now, I can already manage to walk by myself using my cane. While having my studies in Rotary, I also went to Resources for the Blind, Inc. for my further studies in computer and for my personal needs like Braille paper, Braille magazines, and others.

After I have finished my computer trainings here in Davao, I went to ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment for Visually Impaired to pursue my studies in computer and to have greater job opportunities. Training with ATRIEV in Manila, gives me new career options and gives me more optimistic attitude toward my future. While having my training with them, they hire me as their corporate transcriptionists. Right now, I do a home based transcription.

Now I know that even though I’m already blind I can still do things person without disability do. It is only my eyes that are gone. I feel so blessed and thankful that God put me into this situation because through my disability I’ve come to know special people and new friends. And I have received opportunities and gained achievements that I never had when I was still sighted. These opportunities even brought me to Manila where I rode on a plane for the very first time. I’m also proud to say that I can still manage to bake some cakes and pastries.

Aside from these, I am now also equipped with some of the latest technologies for the blind. I now have a personal computer with JAWS and a Nokia 6600 cell phone with Mobile Speak. These devices were all gifts from the people I’ve met because of my disability. It helps me to become more independent in my life. It has the biggest part of my success right now. I can navigate through computers, surf in the net, check my email, chatting with friends using a screen reader and even texting. Without this aids, I won’t be able to work independently.

Everything that happens in our lives is God’s plan and purpose. He has plans for us even before we were born. In Christ we can do all things because He is the one who will provide us the strength to face anything that comes our way. I don’t see my disability as a hindrance to my success; instead I see it as a challenge to strive better. All we have to do is surrender our lives to the Most High, our Lord Jesus Christ. Have faith and trust in Him and He will do the rest. My situation right now is my cross that I will carry on for the rest of my life. But this cross becomes a blessing in my life. It helps me to experience the love of my family, relatives, neighbors and friends. It helps me realize that God is good and He really does miracles here on earth. Though He didn’t restore my sight he never left me in the midst of my struggles. He showered me with lots of blessings so I can live with my disability without difficulty. Right now I have so much joy, love, care and blessings from God. I believe that I have become a blessings to others because of the inspiration they feel when they see how I have been facing this life’s challenges.

My graduation speech

the boys and me

time for our graduation song

mama and me

Mariecell M. Fornis
Graduation Speech
ATRIEV
December 12, 2006
Awards: U21 Global Student of the Year and Best in English


Ladies and gentlemen good afternoon!

It was a painful accident that took my precious sight away. It happened on the night of February 16, 2002. We were driving home after picking up my younger sister from her JS Prom when my father tried to avoid a road construction that has no warning device and lost control. Since then, things have never been the same. The lights are out and this time, it’s like I’m looking through opaque glass.

For many, it might be a great loss, a sad tragedy. For my family and me, it is a great battle that we have to fight, a challenge we have to face. Our situation needs courage and faith. It is really hard to win the war when one has already accepted his defeat.

I am so grateful to the Lord and I do not hold resentments. The accident may have closed the so-called windows to my soul but it has also opened so many other new doors of friendship and love. More importantly, it has also opened up a lot of opportunities.

Opportunity to learn new things. Learning to use technologies for the visually impaired, through ATRIEV, is one such privilege. We extend our sincerest gratitude to ATRIEV for trusting us and equipping us with the necessary skills. I hope you will continue to be a channel of blessing to people like us. GOD speed.

Opportunity to meet new friends of similar experiences. My classmates considered me as the only rose among the thorns. I just don’t know why. Who would forget my classmates Julius Caezar Macapas, Chito Pabia and Julius Cesar Tan kumbaga eh sila iyong mga lalaki sa buhay ko). One thing I won't forget with you guys and with ATRIEV is when I celebrated my 25th birthday because you made it so special. I enjoyed my stay here while learning with you guys. You were such a great friend.

Opportunity to learn new things under the tutelage of our hands-on mentor, Miss Lourdes Borgonia, our computer instructor. We are so thankful for the patience and the passion you showed upon us. You’re one of the beautiful things that ever happened to us and we thank you for the friendship you have shared with us. It’s a great honor to have met you along our journey.

Opportunity to visit this beautiful and historic capital city of the country. Indeed, traveling to places has broadened my perspective in life. It has made me appreciate my hometown more. It inspires me to enlighten my fellow visually impaired in Davao City that the opportunities for development are vast. I want to raise their awareness to the fact that they can do so many other things aside from massage activities that most visually impaired persons are stereotyped as. I want to open their eyes so that they will strive to continuously grow, develop and improve themselves because I believe that there are lots of opportunities for us.

Opportunity to meet prominent people from different organizations. Organizations that have helped me to moved on in my life. The Rotary Club of Matina-Davao, Lilane Foundation, Mission Society of the Philippines, UCCP Social Concern Office and Maryknoll Fathers you have made my training here possible. I hope you will continue to share your good deeds and blessings to others especially to visually impaired people like us.

I thank God for the opportunity to see how loved I am by my family, relatives, and friends. The scars on my face were soon healed by their warm support and care. To my uncle Loloi, Ate Neneng, Ate Fe, Auntie Lina, Ate Inday, Kuya Omeng, Pong,

To you our parents, who are here today, thank you very much for the love you have been giving us. Even if our eyes can’t see, we feel and know the warmth of your love and care. Thank you for not giving up on us. We love you.

Some of my friends here may be able to see again but for most of us, this is it. We would never see again for the rest of our lives. In our simple ways, we would like people to feel and see us as persons, persons with life and spirit.

We believe that even in this seeming darkness, life is beautiful. Although we may never see the colors of the world again, we could paint colors in the lives of others. As long as there is life, as long as there is hope, the battle is not yet over for us.

We have entered ATRIEV to learn. They have equipped and enhanced us with the necessary tools. Moments from now, we’ll soon march-on to make our mark in this world. It is our turn to serve others as in our respective communities. The blind can now be empowered more and be connected.

When you happen to be in Davao City and you would like to hear from me, friends, I’m just a text away and you can also email me or chat with me on the net.

Though a lot of things have changed, let us always remember that we have been blessed so we can serve others.

Daghang salamat ug maayong hapon kaninyong tanan!